Senior PIC Designer (Switches) (Palo Alto)

PsiQuantum’s mission is to build the first useful quantum computers—machines capable of delivering the breakthroughs the field has long promised. Since our founding in 2016, our singular focus has been to build and deploy million-qubit, fault-tolerant quantum systems. Quantum computers harness the laws of quantum mechanics to solve problems that even the most advanced supercomputers or AI systems will never reach. Their impact will span energy, pharmaceuticals, finance, agriculture, transportation, materials, and other foundational industries. Our architecture and approach is based on silicon photonics. By leveraging the advanced semiconductor manufacturing industry—including partners like GlobalFoundries—we use the same high-volume processes that already produce billions of chips for telecom and consumer electronics. Photonics offers natural advantages for scale: photons don’t feel heat, are immune to electromagnetic interference, and integrate with existing cryogenic cooling and standard fiber-optic infrastructure. In 2024, PsiQuantum announced government-funded projects to support the build-out of our first utility-scale quantum computers in Brisbane, Australia, and Chicago, Illinois. These initiatives reflect a growing recognition that quantum computing will be strategically and economically defining—and that now is the time to scale. PsiQuantum also develops the algorithms and software needed to make these systems commercially valuable. Our application, software, and industry teams work directly with leading Fortune 500 companies—including Lockheed Martin, Mercedes-Benz, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Mitsubishi Chemical—to prepare quantum solutions for real-world impact. Quantum computing is not an extension of classical computing. It represents a fundamental shift—and a path to mastering challenges that cannot be solved any other way. The potential is enormous, and we have a clear path to make it real. Come join us. Job Summary:Lead the design and development of advanced integrated photonic systems for next-generation optical interconnect applications.Drive PIC development from architecture through simulation, active device integration, layout, tapeout, and validation.Develop scalable, low-loss photonic circuits with emphasis on high-speed switching, fast tuning, active photonics, and manufacturability.Collaborate closely with electronics, driver, firmware, packaging, and test teams to mature high-performance optical platforms.Responsibilities:Design PICs including active switching elements, modulators, routing networks, and polarization management structures.Perform optical/electrical simulations and modeling of photonic devices, switching behavior, and control performance.Develop calibration methods for tuning, monitor photodiodes, crosstalk mitigation, and automated control flows.Collaborate with electronics and driver teams on DACs, drivers, and electro-photonic integration.Support tapeouts including layout reviews, DRC/LVS, DFM, and foundry coordination.Support silicon validation, lab characterization, and simulation-to-hardware correlation.Experience/Qualifications:Ph.D. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, or related field.5+ years of experience in silicon photonics or integrated photonic design.Strong experience with active photonic devices, switching architectures, and electro-optic tuning.Experience with electronic interfaces, drivers, DACs, and photonic control systems.Experience with simulation tools such as ADS, VPIphotonics, Lumerical, INTERCONNECT, Cadence, or KLayout.Hands-on experience supporting PIC development through tapeout and validation.Familiarity with calibration methods, thermal effects, and fabrication variability.PsiQuantum provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. PsiQuantum does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable laws.Note: PsiQuantum will only reach out to you using an official PsiQuantum email address and will never ask you for bank account information as part of the interview process. Please report any suspicious activity to View email address on apply.placed-app.com are not accepting unsolicited resumes from employment agencies.The ranges below reflect the target ranges for a new hire base salary. One is for the Bay Area (within 50 miles of HQ, Palo Alto), the second one (if applicable) is for elsewhere in the US (beyond 50 miles of HQ, Palo Alto). If there is only one range, it is for the specific location of where the position will be located. Actual compensation may vary outside of these ranges and is dependent on various factors including but not limited to a candidate's qualifications including relevant education and training, competencies, experience, geographic location, and business needs. Base pay is only one part of the total compensation package. Full time roles are eligible for equity and benefits. Base pay is subject to change and may be modified in the future.U.S. Base Pay Range $130,000—$170,000 USDBay Area Pay Range $170,000—$195,000 USD